Post by WaTcHeR on Nov 28, 2006 13:38:07 GMT -5

11.28.2006 - Lubbock Police are being sued for allegedly using excessive force when an officer tased a man during a routine traffic stop. NewsChannel 11's Nicole Pesecky has the story.

According to the police report, on July 14th L.J. McCallan was pulled over in the 1800 block of Oak Street by Lubbock police officer Marsh Blackmore. The report claims he was pulled over because his tail light was out, seconds later he was tased six times and arrested. The officer claims he used force because McCallan resisted arrest.

The video shows the officer pulling the vehicle over using lights in an unmarked police car. Blackmore approach the vehicle, opens the door, and pulls out a taser from his left hip. According to the officer he asked the driver, to get out of the car, and McCallan did. When he gets out of the vehicle. He is reportedly asked to get on the ground. This cannot be verified because the officer admittedly forgets to turn on his microphone. The lawsuit then says McCallan was hit and pushed, and tased in the chest. The plaintiff believes the taser was an unneccessary use of force.

Resisting arrest charges were not filed against McCallan. Two others were listed in the lawsuit besides officer Blackmore and the Lubbock Police Department. They are Lieutenant Chris Powe and Lieutenant Jonathan Caspell who were assigned to the internal affairs investigation for this incident. The plaintiff's attorney says these men are included in the lawsuit because he feels they did not take appropriate action after seeing the video. The Lubbock Police Department did not have a comment.